Cheltenham hero 'Flooring Porter' among attractions at next Kilbeggan Races

The Irish National winner Lord Lariat and the two-time Cheltenham Stayers’ Hurdle winner Flooring Porter will both feature at the upcoming meeting of Kilbeggan Races on Friday next, May 13.

Trainer Dermot McLoughlin won the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse last year in a shock result with Freewheelin Dylan at 150/1, and this year repeated the result when Lord Lariat won the race at 40/1.

And, last year, Gavin Cromwell trained Flooring Porter to win the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham with no one present to cheer. This year he repeated the feat for the syndicate group from Roscommon and Galway which had purchased the horse on social media for €6,000.

Kilbeggan Races gets underway with the first of seven races at 4.55pm on May 13, and it will offer the public in the Midlands a chance to see these two exceptional champions, Lord Lariat and Flooring Porter.

Last month's two-day meeting in Kilbeggan was a considerable success, according to manager Paddy Dunican.

"Our Spring Two-Day National Hunt race meeting on April 21 and 22 got off to a brilliant start," said Mr Dunican. "We experienced an increase in our attendance since our pre Covid-19 race meeting in April 2019.

"We had Ireland's top National Hunt trainers including Willie Mullins, Henry De Bromhead, Joseph O'Brien, Jessica Harrington and Gavin Cromwell winning races and providing exciting and competitive racing at Kilbeggan.

"We encourage patrons to book their tickets online to avail of our special discounts."

The overall highlight at Kilbeggan last month was the success of Eat the Book in a handicap hurdle at 40/1, which was the first race ever to be one by the horse's amateur jockey, 59-year-old Simon Condon.

Looking ahead to next week, there is a local connection to Lord Lariat, as he was bred by Donal Walker, Athlone.

Next Friday's race meeting should be a special occasion for all, and people are advised to arrive early ahead of the first race at 4.55 pm.

General admission ticket to Kilbeggan race meetings are €15, but the racecourse is offering special discounts for staff, customers and friends with admission tickets at €12 each for groups of ten people or more.

There is also a Special Discounted Summer Party Pack from €23 per person which includes admission ticket and two €5 food or drink vouchers, and a free race card, for groups of 10 or more.

Tickets can be booked online at www.kilbegganraces.com